drive axle installation problem

Pulled off the drive axles to take the tranny off etc. Got the tranny and the passenger side drive axle on but, can't get the drivers side axle in all the way. It was seated all the way in when we took it out but on entry it goes in only 3.5" of the 4 - 4.5" it should go in. I've tried removing the retaining ring and get the same results. I've tried hammering the thing in using a hammer and the back (wooden) end of another hammer (so as to not damage the inner boot). It won't go in any further. Any suggestions? Has anyone ever had this problem? Not sure it's safe to leave it out some like that. Thanks.

its not being bound up is it. like at a slight angle. do the gears on it have to go in at a certain point? like a key.

its not being bound up is it. like at a slight angle. do the gears on it have to go in at a certain point? like a key.

I thought about that this morning, there is a little dip between one set of gear threads and another in the tranny for the retaining clip I believe, kind of like my ascii art below (where the gear teeth are the "=" symbol) the drive axle shaft could be angled into this gutter, but I've tried moving it around and it doesn't seem to go anywhere, it's like it's in there good and strait, but maybe it's not.


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